Last fall our Theatre professor, Mendy McMasters visited Clarksdale, Mississippi, the home of Tennessee Williams, where she completed her sabbatical research.

To explain more about her work, Mendy sent us this note:

"In September I went to Clarksdale Mississippi, the childhood home of Tennessee Williams, where I collected dialect sound samples for our students to work with while they developed their characters for our Spring production of The Eccentricities of a Nightingale. I explored the episcopal church where Tennessee’s grandfather was the minister and I discussed with the locals where they thought the town square might have been when Tennessee was a boy. The Eccentricities of a Nightingale takes place in a town called Glorious Hill, and Clarksdale, Mississippi was Tennessee Williams' inspiration for his typical southern town. Our protagonist, Alma Winemiller, is full of life and wants to experience all that the world has to offer, but feels held back by the restrictions of her parents, her community, and the time in which she lives. Tennessee Williams grew up feeling those same restrictions and is quoted as saying, “I’m Alma”.

How we sound is a part of our history, culture and family and is an important part of who we are. We have worked diligently to honor these characters' stories and the truth woven into them which includes honoring their beautiful America southern dialect. The cast and I encourage the CSUB community to take a glimpse into a different time and a different part of our country that is really not so different from today."

The Eccentricities of a Nightingale:CSUB’s Dore Arena TheatreThursday-Saturday, February 23, 24 & 25 at 8PMSaturday-Sunday, February 25 & 26 at 2PMSaturday, March 4 at 8PMSunday, March 5 at 2PMLimited seating; reservations strongly recommended as this production normally sells out: (661) 654-3150Reservations will be taken starting February 13th.Note: latecomers cannot be seatedPHOTO:Mendy recording a woman from Clarksdale, Mississippi who knew Tennessee Williams.

What do you do at the school of Arts & Humanities?I am the administrative support coordinator for the Philosophy & Religious Studies Department.Where did you go to college and what was your major or field of study?I am currently a graduate student here at CSUB, pursuing a Master of Public Administration. Once a Runner. Always…!!!What are the most rewarding aspects of your job?Having a marketing degree, the field is all about selling a product or service. The most rewarding aspect of this job is speaking to young people in the community about the importance of higher education. I am finally happy that I am able to promote a product that I am extremely proud of. Where is your favorite place to eat?Ruth’s Chris Steak House!! I am a prime steak and potato girl! Cowboy Ribeye and Lyonnaise potatoes to be exact!What was the last book you read?I don’t get the luxury of leisure reading. Not enough time in the day. Textbooks take all of my available time.What do you like to do for fun?Shop, hang out with my lovely daughter and shop some more.If you could visit any country in the world, where would you go?I traveled a lot when I was younger not much out of the country however. Not interested in traveling out of this country. I’d love to spend a month at Disney World though!Do you have any words of advice for our students?Don’t waste time in your life. Try to determine who you are and what you want out of life early. Then take action. Learn and work hard. This will give you plenty of time to actually do what you want and love sooner than later. Love yourself and be good to others. Give back and make a positive difference in another person’s life.What drives you crazy? Two things that drive me absolutely crazy are:1.Adults who curse at their children. Control yourself.2.People who smoke next to children or in high traffic areas, in front of doorways where NON-SMOKERS have to walk through. Second hand smoke is not right!!

Two years ago AH replaced the AHA! newsletter with an online blog! As we have grown the blog with extra features to highlight our amazing school, our audience has also grown and for that we are eternally grateful for your support.

What do you do at the school of Arts & Humanities?As a department coordinator I work with the Art faculty, class schedule and budget, and students from all majors, and the general campus.Where did you go to college and what was your major or field of study?I began college at Taft College and earned my AA in Journalism. When I began working at CSUB and began taking classes, I majored in Communication and minored in Studio Art (Photography). I loved working on The Runner! I’m still a junior and I’m not sure I’ll graduate before I retire! I’m proud of my children who have graduated with a BA and BS degree and beyond. I know how much work goes into earning a degree and want to help all our students succeed.What are the most rewarding aspects of your job?Achieving a smooth-running operation where there is as little stress as possible on the students and faculty! I enjoy working with and getting to know the myriad students and hearing their histories.Where is your favorite place to eat?The Blue Elephant, a Thai restaurant, just down the street!What was the last book you read?The Glass Lake by Maeve Binchy. Loved it. This is what Wikipedia says about her, in part, “…Irishnovelist, playwright, short story writer, columnist, and speaker best known for her sympathetic and often humorous portrayal of small-town life in Ireland, her descriptive characters, her interest in human nature, and her often clever surprise endings.” Really, she’s great.What do you like to do for fun?Most things outdoors with family and grandkids like camping, exploring the fields in search of cool rocks or tide pools with critters in them, and digging for fossils. We want to try panning for gold.If you could visit any country in the world, where would you go?I would want to visit where my ancestors came from, in part: England, Ireland, Switzerland, Germany.Do you have any words of advice for our students?Yes: go to class and enjoy this wonderful opportunity to learn everything that you can! What drives you crazy?Not having enough time in the day to be able to focus on and complete tasks. Some days are just crazy-busy around here!

​Bill Kelley, Jr. is an educator, curator and writer based in Los Angeles. He holds a Ph.D. in Art History, Theory and Criticism from the University of California at San Diego (UCSD) and a Masters in Colonial Art Studies from the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque (UNM).

His current research focuses on collaborative and collective art practices in the Americas. Bill has written for such journals as Afterall, P.E.A.R., and Log Journal. He served as co-curator of the 2011 Encuentro Internacional de Medellín (MDE11) and was the former Director and Co-Editor of the online bilingual journal LatinArt.com. Bill has co-edited an anthology with Grant Kester of collaborative art practices in the Americas entitled: Collective Situations: Readings in Contemporary Latin American Art 1995-2010 (Duke University Press, forthcoming). He is currently Lead Researcher and Curator of Talking to Action, for Otis College of Art as part of The Getty’s Pacific Standard Time: LA/LA initiative.

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CSUB - School of arts & humanities

Our school, Arts & Humanities is one of four at California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB). CSUB is located in the southern San Joaquin Valley in Bakersfield, CA and was founded in 1965, with the first classes being held fall of 1970. Our university has an enrollment of approximately 9,000 students and offers undergraduate, graduate, and credentials programs. Our school offers several disciplines in the Arts & Humanities.

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​2015-2018 AHA! Published by the School of Arts & Humanities Dean's OfficeCopyright belongs to the School of Arts & Humanities, at California State University, BakersfieldDigital Editor: Rebecca St Croix Martinez